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Earnest Wilson named Vikings head football coach

Elizabeth City State University has named its new head football coach. Athletic Director
Derrick Johnson announced today that former ECSU offensive coordinator and Savannah
State University (SSU) head football coach Earnest J. Wilson III has been tapped to
head the Vikings football program.

“We are delighted that Earnest has agreed to become our head football coach,” said
Johnson. “His football expertise, leadership traits and passion for Elizabeth City
State University are qualities that our student-athletes and fans will embrace.”

Wilson is entering his 25th year of coaching. He comes to ECSU with a strong background
in college and professional coaching experience, most recently from Mid-Eastern Athletic
Conference (MEAC) member Savannah State University where he served as the head football
coach since 2013. Prior to SSU, Wilson served as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks
coach at Hampton University in 2012.

Wilson took the helm at SSU at a time when the athletic program was faced with NCAA
Academic Progress Rate (APR) sanctions, including scholarship reductions among other
penalties. Wilson, who is credited with turning the program around, is also responsible
for raising the football team’s GPA from 1.9 to 2.5.

Wilson has a track record as a winning coach. While at Hampton University, the team’s
offensive attack was ranked in the top five and boasted the top rusher in the MEAC.
Prior to Hampton he worked at Jackson State University as offensive coordinator, quarterback
coach and wide receiver coach where his offense led the South Western Athletic Conference
in scoring offense, pass offense, pass efficiency, first downs and fourth down conversions.
Under his guidance, JSU led the nation in total offense, averaging almost 500 yards
a game. During Wilson’s time with JSU (2010-12) the team had the ninth highest scoring
offense in the nation, averaging 35 points a game.

While at New Mexico State University, Wilson recruited the #2 Quarterback in the nation
and his offense led the nation in total offense gained. Wilson’s offense also captured
the #3 spot for passing in Division I football.

Wilson's coaching background includes a stint as the head coach and director of football
operations for the Carolina Rhinos (2001-02) and Jacksonville Tomcats (1999-2001)
of Arena League Football 2 (AFL2). In his first season as head coach in 2000, the
Rhinos posted a 10-8 record. The next year, Wilson led the Rhinos to a 13-5 record
and advanced to the semifinals of the playoffs. Wilson took over at Jacksonville in
2002, leading the Tomcats to an 8-8 record (second place).

Wilson also served as the head coach of the Dayton Skyhawks of the Indoor Football
League (1999). He led the team to the semifinals of the playoffs. Wilson served as
ECSU offensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator, quarterbacks and receivers
coach and offensive line coach from 1996 to 1998. He was also the head men’s and women’s
track coach.

“Coach Wilson brings deep experience in college and professional football,” said Johnson.
“He is committed to elevating the student-athlete experience, catalyzing fan and community
engagement, while developing a winning tradition.”